Etihad Airways’ first Emirati trainees from the Vocational Education Development Centre (VEDC) have successfully graduated from their work placement program at Etihad’s airport office in Abu Dhabi.
Eleven Emirati trainees received their certificates at a ceremony held at Etihad’s training academy in Abu Dhabi. The group was the first from VEDC to have been invited by Etihad Airways to complete a six-week customer service work placement program, which included a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience. Upon completion of their Etihad training and their final graduation from VEDC, the UAE national trainees will be offered full time positions as Ground Staff Agents with Etihad Airways.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to have our first group of Emirati trainees join us from VEDC. Each of the 11 trainees demonstrated remarkable drive and ambition during their training program.
“As the national airline of the UAE, it is vital that we have UAE nationals on our frontlines at airports around the world, welcoming our customers while giving them a firsthand experience of the culture and hospitality of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
The 11 Emirati vocational trainees began their work placement program in February at Etihad’s training academy where they received two weeks of theoretical training that covered various classroom subjects including Etihad’s mission and vision, the history of the airline and business etiquette.
The program also offered four weeks’ training at Abu Dhabi International Airport where the trainees received hands-on customer service training, spending time learning about all aspects of various departments at the airport including check-in; boarding; transfer desk; and ground service.
Upon receiving his graduation certificate, Mohammed Al Rumaithy from Abu Dhabi, said: “We were all extremely happy to have been selected by Etihad Airways for the work placement program.
“We were very proud to sit in our national dress, welcoming and helping passengers arriving in our country or just passing through. The program taught us a lot about customer service and many of the group are looking forward to joining Etihad Airways after completing our last year of study with VEDC.”
The Etihad Airways Emiratisation Program offers a wide range of training opportunities for UAE nationals. The airline also offers an English language training program, cadet pilot scheme and a technical engineering development program as well as the graduate management development program to UAE nationals.
VEDC is an industry based institute under the umbrella of the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT), which provides an integrated curriculum of academic and vocational studies that leads to qualifications that support both continuing studies and the needs of the workplace.
